Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

🎙️  Episode Title: "20 Years, 2 Countries, 1 Tech: Aidan Lucey's Journey Through the Trades" In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with refrigeration pro Aidan Lucey, whose 20-year journey in the trade spans two continents. From humble beginnings in Ireland installing 80 mini splits, to chasing down leaks in Canadian grocery stores, Aidan shares how a twist...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with  Seth Hiler , Technical Trainer at  Viega , to explore how Viega is reshaping plumbing and mechanical training across North America. From the oilfield and coal mines to Colorado State University and now the classroom, Seth brings real-world experience into Viega’s hands-on, technician-driven programs. 🎯 What we cover: The evolut...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Bryan O’Hern, owner/operator of Coyle Appliance Repair based in the South Metro area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Bryan shares his incredible path from aviation mechanic to commercial kitchen lone wolf. After starting in aircraft maintenance, 9/11 changed everything—forcing a pivot that eventually led him into the foodservice repair...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley reconnects with  Louise Kellar , National Training Manager at  UEi Test Instruments  and one of the  Top 25 Most Influential Trainers of 2025 . Louise shares her unexpected journey from retail management to becoming a nationally recognized leader in  HVAC/R education and training , while offering valuable insight into  combustion...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , Pat and special guest cohost Megan McIntosh sit down with Kelsey Whittenberg — better known as  The Spicy Sparky  — for an unfiltered, powerful conversation about life, the trades, and building a career from the ground up. Kelsey became an  electrician at 30  with zero experience, two kids, and no plan — just a willingness to learn and work hard....

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer are joined by  Stuart Reiman , senior technician and field supervisor at Hagar Restaurant Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With over 13 years of experience in the foodservice equipment industry, Stuart shares his incredible journey from managing Tulsa’s longest-running hip-hop and R&B club to becoming a re...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with  Michael Plezia  to explore his  unconventional journey into the trades . From  dropping out of high school  and working in  retail and foodservice , to discovering a passion for  HVAC, plumbing, and commercial kitchen equipment repair , Mike opens up about what led him to his current role as a  Hobart Service technician . 🛠️ We...

🎙️ 35 Years in the Game: Rusty Parke's Legacy in Foodservice Equipment Repair In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley reconnects with a true mentor and industry legend —  Rusty Parke , who has been grinding in the  foodservice equipment repair industry for over 35 years . From crawling in attics at age 12 to helping shape companies and careers, Rusty’s story is a bl...

In this inspiring episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we're stepping out of the kitchen and into the world of HVAC! Pat is joined by special guest co-host Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments, and together they welcome rising TikTok star and HVAC advocate Katey, better known as  HVACGirlie . From bartending in a resort town to rocking rooftops and running calls, Katey shares her hon...

🎙️  From Fast Food to Foodservice Pro: Josh Austin’s Journey in HVACR & Refrigeration In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley sits down with rising HVACR technician Josh Austin—aka @JoshDaBoss on TikTok—for a raw and inspiring conversation about his transition from flipping burgers to fixing walk-ins and RTUs. Josh shares how he stumbled into the trades, his grind t...

🔥 Catching Up with David Jones – New Roles, New Perspectives!  🔥 In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley and Jason Latimer welcome back  David Jones , now serving as  Director of Sales and Marketing . David shares how he’s handling the new responsibilities, expanding his team, and navigating time management challenges. We also dive into his experiences attending recent indus...

This week on  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley welcomes two rising stars in the HVACR social media scene — Matt and Sean, better known as the  HVACR DADS  👨‍🔧👨‍🔧. These two techs are not just putting in the work in the field, they’re also using platforms like TikTok to showcase what life in the trades is really like — raw, real, and rewarding. Matt and Sean share how they got st...

🎧 Catching Up with Bryan Sanders: Wins, Struggles, and Lessons in Foodservice Repair In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley reconnects with returning guest Bryan Sanders to dive into his journey after spending eight months in the foodservice equipment repair industry. Bryan, who previously worked in refrigeration, made the leap into this new field, and he's back to...

In this episode, I'm live from the cafeteria at NAFEM with two special guests:  Scott Westbrook  and  Andre Frenette from  Alto-Shaam ! 🌟  Alto-Shaam: A Family-Owned Legacy  Founded in 1955 by Jerry Moss, Alto-Shaam has grown into a powerhouse in the foodservice industry. From their innovative heated holding cabinets to their industry-leading combi ovens, Alto-Shaam continues to push the enve...

🎙️ Catching Up: Trade Shows, Growing Pains & Big News! 🚀 The crew is back together for a much-needed catch-up session! In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we dive into the latest happenings in our world—from recent trade show experiences to the growing pains of expansion, and some  big news  you won’t want to miss. 🔹  Trade Shows  – The latest insights from the industry floor...

🔴 LIVE from AHR Expo! 🔴 In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we’re joined by  Nadeem from Watts Water Technologies  to dive into the world of  backflow prevention  and the latest in  connected backflow technology ! 💧🔧 Recorded  LIVE  at the  Podcast Pavilion at AHR Expo , we break down the importance of backflow systems, how connected technology is changing the game, and what te...

🎙️ LIVE from AHR Expo 2025 – RIDGID Talks Pressing Tech & Big Moves in Manufacturing! 🚀 In this special  live episode  of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we’re coming to you straight from the  Podcast Pavilion at AHR Expo 2025  in Orlando, Florida! We sat down with  Michael Provenzano and Joe DeVries from RIDGID  to dive into the world of  pressing technology  and check out  RIDGID’s brand-n...

🎧  Catching Up with Bryan Sanders: Wins, Struggles, and Lessons in Foodservice Repair  🔧 In this powerful episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host  Pat Finley  sits down with returning guest  Bryan Sanders  to dive deep into his journey after spending eight months in the fast-paced world of foodservice equipment repair. Bryan, known for his strong background in refrigeration, made the le...

In this special  on-location episode  of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we’re coming to you  LIVE from AHR Expo 2025  in  Orlando, Florida!  🎤🔥 We had the chance to sit down at the  UEi Test Instruments booth   with Louise Kellar to explore some of their  latest and most essential HVAC tools. 🚀  What’s Inside This Episode? ✅  Combustion Analyzers  – Why regular recertification matters 🔥 ✅ ...

🔥 LIVE from AHR Expo 2025 – Viper & Refrigeration Technologies w/ Ashley & Becca! 🎙️🔧 We took  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles   on the road  to  AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando, FL , recording  LIVE from the Podcast Pavilion!  🎤 This episode features  Ashley and Becca from Viper & Refrigeration Technologies , where we dive into  new products, updates to existing solutions, and their major h...

🔥  HVAC Knights Take Over!  | Content Creation, Industry Talk & AHR Preview! 🎙️ In this special episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we’re joined by the  HVAC Knights —a trio of industry pros bringing humor, knowledge, and insight into the world of HVAC and foodservice repair. We dive into content creation, industry trends, and what’s in store for  AHR Expo ! 😆  Can you ever take them...

🎙 Behind the Scenes with a Facilities Manager: Insights from Taylor's 14-Year Journey 🏢🔧 In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer dive into the world of facilities management with special guest Taylor Lomberk! Taylor shares insights from his 14-year journey in the field, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, responsibilities, and...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles with your host, Pat Finley, and special guest, Isaac Locke, Director of Training for Middleby Corporation! 🔧🍽️ In this episode, we dive deep into: 🏰 The Middleby Innovation Kitchen (The MIC): Located in Lewisville, TX, this cutting-edge facility showcases over 100 Middleby brands in a fully functional environment, complete with l...

In this episode of  The Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we dive into the exciting world of skilled trades training with Ruchir Shah, the founder of SkillCat. 🌟 SkillCat is revolutionizing the way aspiring technicians and professionals gain the skills they need to thrive in industries like HVAC, refrigeration, and more. By combining cutting-edge technology with innovative learning methods, SkillCa...

🎙️  From Army Wrenches to Kitchen Fixes: Lisa Moore’s Inspiring Journey in Foodservice Repair In this compelling episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer are joined by the talented Lisa Moore, a trailblazer in the foodservice repair industry. Lisa shares her remarkable story, starting with her time in the Army, where she honed her mechanical skills and...